Phytogenic resources of halophytes of Central Asia and their role for rehabilitation of sandy desert degraded rangelands

Abstract

Based on soil characteristics, watertable level, mineral composition of plant biomass, morphological/reproductive traits and carbon discrimination values, a new concept for the classification of halophytes was developed. Six main groups of halophytes have been described within the desert flora of Central Asia. Significant changes on chemical contents of ions:and Mg 2þ among 23 studied halophytic forage species were revealed. Alhagi pseudoalhagi, Poaceae spp., Artemisia diffusa containing minimum concentration of mineral ions were categorised as relatively more palatable and valuable feed for livestock on open grazing and as hay. Fresh biomass of forage species growing under highly saline soils sharply decreased with increasing of salinity gradient. Potassium concentration was found highest in Kochia scoparia, Agropyron desertorum, closely followed by Atriplex nitens, Suaeda salsa, while annuals Salsola spp., Bromus tectorum, Aeluropus littoralis, Tamarix hispida, Eremopyrum orientale, Agropyron desertorum contain low amount of mineral ions because excess of salts are exuded through salt glands present abundantly on the surface of the epidermis. Native and exotic, both C 3 and C 4 , halophytes are suitable for reclamation of degraded lands have been proven very useful in demonstration trials. The fresh biomass of investigated C 3 plants sharply decreased with the increasing of soil salinity gradient. An integrated Biosaline Agriculture model for sustainable and integrated use of marginal mineralised water resources and salt-affected soils through involvement of food-feed salt/drought tolerant crops and forage legumes to improve food security, alleviate poverty and enhance ecosystem health in smallholder crop-livestock systems has been demonstrated.

The Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought Toward an Integrated Global Assessment

“…Use of halophytic plants for economic purposes: Related to (ii), the use of halophytic, or salt-loving, plants (such as date, palm, barley, and cotton) could help reduce salinity (Natchergaele et al 2010). Areas with saline soils could be used to grow halophytic crops and fodder (Toderich et al 2009). 4.…”

The Structural and Functional Characteristics of Asiatic Desert Halophytes for Phytostabilization of Polluted Sites

“…Overuse of major rivers of Central Asia (Amudarya, Zerafshan, Syrdarya) for the production of cotton and other crops has resulted in the rise of water tables, waterlogging, and ecological disasters like salinisation around the receding Aral Sea. On the other hand contamination by heavy metals and chemicals released from agricultural activities as well as from gold mining, uranium and oil-gas industries have been frequently reported from Kyzylkum sandy Desert (Walter and Box 1983;Black et al 2003;Gintzburger et al 2003;Toderich et al 2005a, b;Aparin et al 2006;Toderich et al 2009). Technogenic industrial establishments randomly distributed on the areas with sandy-loam/clay soils and on large sand dunes are to a large extent responsible for the degradation of fertile lands in Kyzylkum desert and Priaralie regions from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakistan.…”

Sustainable use of marginal lands to improve food security in the United Arab Emirates

“…The studies done by ICBA have shown that integrated trees and shrub systems such as alley-cropping, silvopasture, windbreaks, riparian buffer strips, and forest farming for non-timber forest products are advantageous for enhancing productivity of marginal lands (Toderich et al, 2009). In addition, these agroforestry systems can improve soil nutrient management thereby increasing the productivity of plants.…”

“…Afforestation has the potential to re-vegetate saline lands to provide economic benefits to pastoral communities from marginal lands and lowering high water table conditions through bio-drainage (Heuperman et al, 2002;Marcar & Craw-Ford 2004;Khamzina et al, 2008). However, for long-term sustainability, afforestation needs to be preceded after complete evaluation of suitable tree species because salt-tolerant plant species respond differently to prevailing saline land and water conditions (Toderich et al, 2009). …”